Howie Stern and the Art of Running

Howie Stern. When you don’t know his identify, you in all probability have seen his pictures.

Howie appears to be photographing runners at each huge occasion within the U.S. Whether or not it’s Tara Dower coated in cactus on the Javelina 100 Mile or chasing Courtney Dauwalter by means of the hills of the Hardrock 100, Howie has made a reputation for himself capturing the essence and human nature that makes the game of ultrarunning so fascinating. I’ve talked with Howie fairly a number of instances over espresso in Silverton, Colorado, the place we each dwell — you may at all times discover him on the espresso store — about operating, journey, and artwork, and it’s excessive time I give him the ground right here.

When did you get into images, and the way did it evolve right into a profession? And the place did operating are available?

I first thought-about capturing once I moved to Silverton, Colorado, in 2014. I used to be contemporary off a divorce and life reset and was making an attempt to determine what route to go that may allow me to be with my canine 24/7 and work for myself, as a result of I by no means might match into the nine-to-five way of life. I had a number of mates, equivalent to Criss Furman and Ivan Buzik, who had been photographers and it sort of opened my eyes to that world.

Seeing how stunning the San Juan Mountains of Colorado had been within the fall, I used to be taking tons of images with my cellphone and folks appeared to dig them, and searching again, that was the second I spotted I wanted to get an actual digicam once more. I hadn’t actually touched a digicam since highschool.

So, in February 2015, I picked up a Nikon and determined to begin capturing ultras. I had been an ultrarunner for 15 years at that time, so my purpose was to convey what I felt as a runner to the digicam’s eye. For me, it grew to become a profession from the beginning. There was no plan B, there was no gifting away pictures for publicity. The one manner this could work was to go all in and act accordingly. Just a few photographers I knew at all times stated “you’ll by no means make something,” however I ignored them. I wasn’t going to surrender on residing life on my phrases, which meant by no means being away from Miki and Joey, my malamute and husky, in addition to working for one thing that I used to be inherently captivated with.

How do the inventive parts of images translate into operating for you or vice versa?

I might say that my operating is impressed by mild. I strongly dislike operating in the midst of the day, as a result of the sunshine is so harsh, simply as I dislike capturing in the midst of the day, for related causes. That being stated, I might say I’m a fan of operating at sundown for the fantastic thing about the sunshine high quality. I like operating at dawn excessive on peaks, to see the sunshine altering, the overlapping ridges within the distance — identical for the sundown, actually. However I don’t do it actually because I’m extra of an evening owl and have a tendency to sleep in until there’s an enormous goal, or somebody to make getting up early a sexy choice.

Howie magnificently captures low night mild within the mountains.

One factor I do whereas operating is that I are inclined to see the paths and panorama by means of my digicam’s eye. So many instances, I’ll make a psychological be aware of locations that I need to return to, to {photograph} a runner or the panorama.

Are there any specific images that you just love? Or any significantly memorable moments whereas photographing?

Over the previous 10 years of photographing operating, there have been so many moments that had been particular. Just a few positively stand out for me. One among my favorites was a picture I took of Amelia Boone at Huge Canine’s Yard Extremely. I by no means take footage of individuals throwing up, it’s simply fully off placing to me. In some unspecified time in the future within the race, throughout the warmth and humidity, she pushed herself to the restrict and was on the bottom and misplaced her abdomen. I simply occurred to see her in a foul second, however as she fought to rise up to make the beginning of the following yard, she stared straight at me for a second, and I snapped the picture. You’ll be able to simply really feel all she was feeling trying into her eyes. To me, it’s the whole lot operating and the human spirit is about.

Amelia Boone regrouping for one more loop at Huge Canine’s Yard Extremely.

Most likely a very powerful picture I ever captured was the second this yr on the Barkley Marathons when Jasmin Paris made historical past. There are a selection of unbelievable images from some others that had been there, however the one I captured was the one one of many precise second she tapped and collapsed over the gate, spit and hair flying, as she gave the whole lot she needed to make it occur. Seeing her husband operating behind her, the expressions on John Kelly and Jared Campbell, Laz [Gary Cantrell] ready, and everybody cheering within the background. I photographed Jasmin throughout all three of her makes an attempt, and to lastly see all of it come collectively was actually the best second in sports activities I’ve ever witnessed. I cried for 10 minutes after the mud all settled. I’m even tearing up now.

Howie Stern’s now iconic picture of Jasmin Paris ending the 2024 Barkley Marathons, as the primary lady ever to complete the grueling race.

Who has impressed you as a photographer and as a runner?

I’m sort of odd in all probability, I don’t actually look to different photographers for inspiration, I by no means need to copy. I really feel what I really feel as a runner, and simply attempt to convey that throughout within the tales I seize. I fail at that quite a bit, however there are moments once I handle to get one thing I’m pleased with. Beginning out, I used to be actually impressed by Criss [Furman]’s pleasure when he nailed a shot. He used to convey his laptop over to me on the espresso store to indicate me the photographs he was pleased with. He’d at all times have such an enormous smile and be so completely satisfied. I really feel identical to he did once I nail one thing.

So far as operating, actually, I in all probability was most impressed by my canine, they simply appeared so easy and completely satisfied after they ran. I nonetheless take into consideration them once I’m struggling in a 100 miler. I am going, “Be like Joey, run completely satisfied like he did, and by no means cease!” He even walked a mile by means of Silverton and kissed the Hardrock on his final day of life, December 24, 2019.

When you might {photograph} any topic proper now outdoors of operating, what wouldn’t it be and why?

Wolves and polar bears. I’m fascinated by each. Canine have been such an enormous a part of my being the final couple a long time, that I need to {photograph} the animals they descended from. Particularly since in most of the locations they roam, they’re threatened with eradication.

A few years in the past, I received to {photograph} a brief expedition within the Arctic on Baffin Island. On the primary day within the backcountry, I adopted contemporary polar bear tracks alongside the route I used to be scouting. It was a type of “Nationwide Geographic”-feeling moments the place you sort of notice you stepped into a special world. I by no means noticed the bear that made them, however now it’s turn out to be a purpose to return and see them. Hopefully in 2025 it should occur on my subsequent journey there.

When you might give recommendation to a photographer seeking to make it their residing, what would you say?

Discover your area of interest. Everybody shoots these days, what are you able to do to distinguish your self? In any other case, you’ll be misplaced on this planet of clones. Additionally, don’t shortchange your self or undercut everybody else, it solely hurts the business on a complete. Know your worth and persist with it.

Katharina Hartmuth, photographed within the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

Do you’ve got any insights or critiques on how ultrarunning is documented today? Something you need to see or do in another way?

Give the athletes and crews house. It’s was a mob scene at too many occasions. Not all elites, runners, or crews need to have 10 cameras of their faces at support stations or the end. I additionally really feel, Instagram, so many are simply copying the identical results and photographs, and the whole lot is simply beginning to look the identical.

What’s your favourite digicam to make use of once you’re out within the mountains?

If I’m operating, simply my iPhone. It’s small and lightweight and is at all times there. And surprisingly, you are able to do some respectable stuff with it. For the great things, recently a Sony A9iii. As a result of it’s small, mild, and insanely highly effective, together with the lenses, I can run with it and take it on larger runs to {photograph} athletes within the cool locations. However I’ve been identified to have Canon and Nikon as effectively, haha. I’m not model loyal.

And random query that I ask everybody: in case you could possibly be a tree what sort of tree would you be?

I’d be a needle tree like a Bristlecone Pine. I imply, you reside up excessive, in stunning locations, and also you get to expertise the universe for 1000’s of years. And, effectively, they give the impression of being twisted, gnarly, and resilient!

Name for Feedback

Are you a fan of Howie Stern’s work? What are your private favorites of his images?